Progress on my bright, scrappy blocks. They are big blocks - 12" each. I used Leigh's tutorial as my inspiration and just made the blocks bigger. This project is so not high on my priority list right now, but it's the one I keep wanting to work on!
This was one of those rare and lovely weekends when we didn't have a national holiday, a birthday, sporting events, sinus surgery, extended family event, house guests, yard work, or any other major commitment. Can I tell you how much I enjoyed it? I should have been cleaning out and organizing my basement, but the fabric scraps that exploded all over my sewing table kept calling my name. (To my credit I did spend 45 minutes dismantling and unclogging the large blockage in my vacuum cleaner, so I should get points for that at least. I'll spare you the pictures of that 'creative' endeavor.)
Saturday was one of those afternoons here where the kids built forts and played "orphans" with the neighbors for hours. (Why do kids love pretending they are orphans?) My sewing space is right off the room where they were playing so I loved feeling like I was close by but able to get a lot of sewing done at the same time. Very rare, but very awesome. I wish every Saturday could be like that! (Especially when I end the day gorging myself on sushi with my husband. Talk about a perfect day.)
Finally (one more gratuitous fabric shot) I've finally picked a palette for my Swoon-a-long quilt. Which, yes, has not even been started. But this is progress. And let's face it, probably a long term project. Nevertheless, I'm still enjoying the Swoon-y inspiration going on right now.
I was having a hard time deciding what colors and fabrics to use for this quilt. I swore up and down, no new fabric - it ALL had to come from the stash. Then I went to JoAnn to buy a new rotary cutter during a 50% off sale and happened to walk past the Denyse Schmidt fabric (which also happened to be on sale). I didn't realize she had a new collection, Daisy Mae. Some really COOL prints and colors - that's where the greens and the red at the top came from. Seeing those colors totally inspired me for this quilt. The rest are from the stash. Sadly, (or maybe fortunately for me), the fabric quality is not nearly as good on this collection (and yet the price is the same). As a result, I did not buy very much. Unfortunate, since there are some really cool prints.
So anyway, thank you 'boring' Saturday afternoon for your generous donation of productive time. I hope you had some weekend time to sew, or play 'orphans', or clean out your vacuum cleaner too. This is when I like January.
Brighton Breezy Sarah
what a lovely post ... I felt like I was right there having a chat and a cuppa ... great swoon choices and I love love love that scrappy block!
Jennifer
Nice weekend! You got a lot done! We had one of those rare quiet weekends too... <br /><br />Jennifer 🙂
Melissa @ Happy Quilting
Sounds like a lot of fun and looks like you got a lot done. I love sewing and hearing my kids play in the next room. They always end up laying alien invaders or something really loud like that 🙂
The Hunter's Prize
I totally played an orphan game when I was a kid with my brothers. We called it Lost Kids and our parents had died. I have no explanation why! <br /><br />Love the scrappy blocks!
Anne
Love your scrappy blocks!
Katy Cameron
Ooh, sounds like a perfect Saturday! I was in a bit of a grump as I didn't get to the sewing I wanted to. Oh well, next weekend...
twelfthzodiac
Haha..this post made me laugh! Of all the years I was a child & all the years I have looked after children for a living, I have never encountered 'orphans' pretend play! My sister & I used to pretend we had been kidnapped (so weird, thinking back!) but our parents were still around, trying to get us back! lol
Rosa
Your scrappy blocks are very nice.I love them.
Claire Jain
Oh yay! You had such a productive weekend 🙂 I just got some of that pink hex fabric for the back of a baby quilt top that I finished this weekend. I can't wait to sandwich and quilt. I'm also wanting to swoon along, but haven't started yet either. I'm still eyeing everyone's progress and trying to decide on colors!
Mary on Lake Pulaski
Love your Swoon collection Amy. I have mine chosen and sitting in my sewing room at home for when I return in March.
Michele
I am loving, loving, loving your scrappy blocks. Just my sort of color scheme. I can't wait to see the finished result. <br /><br />I so wish I was able to get more done than I did. The disappearing Nine Patch blocks for the baby girl quilt got finished and I had hoped to add the border to a One Hundred Good Wishes Quilt but yesterday was spent taking down the holiday decorations (they were
Nedra
Thanks for the link to the tutorial! I love that quilt! and what a great way to use scraps.
chris
LOVE the scrappy blocks. They are so cheery.
Thimbleanna
Sounds like the perfect weekend! You made me laugh about your kids playing orphans - I used to love playing stuff like that. I think we need a version of orphans for mothers - where they can pretend they have no responsibilities - wait, maybe that's what quilt retreats are all about. Love all your pretty fabric shots!
❦Bayside Gal❦
Great quilt blocks. I love your Burp Pad Tute!. I made some for a friend a few weeks ago. The cereal box idea is genius!
Sharon@Sharon at Home
love your 12 inch blocks. What size strips did you use? and how big was the square you cut the white triangles from? Thanks.
Lucy @ Charm About You
Sounds like a glorious time!! and orphans!! hahahaha!
Erin
Sounds wonderful! Lazy weekends where you're actually able to tackle some things around the house are my favorite.
janae king designs
i love your block in the first photo! it's fantastic. your blog is fun and you have super great photos.
Leslie
i love your scrappy blocks...they are so pretty. and the stack for your swoon quilt is amazing. i want so much to get on that band wagon....but i have so many other things to finish. maybe i will just make a block for the wall sometime.
kait.
I've also noticed a degradation of fabric quality in her lines at JoAnns. The first one was so nice and now, three collections later, I'm disappointed 🙁